Testimonies from Homes and Communities Agency apprentices and their mentors/line managers working in our IT, Finance, HR and Legal teams.

1. Celebrating apprentices at the HCA!
Apprenticeship Week 2015

2. So far…
2012: First 2 HCA apprentices - with our IT team in
Gateshead
The scheme has now been rolled out to
other parts of the Agency
We’ve provided Cabinet Office with details of
our experiences & given them ideas on their
apprenticeship scheme
Cover slide: Ryan Maddock, IT apprentice at HCA

3. Kieran Wilson
Joined HCA October 2012;
our longest serving apprentice!
He works in the network support team
“Kieran has become an active and
contributing member of the team both
socially (he helps to organise events). In
his technical apprentice role he has
assisted with various projects and
operational functions.”
Clive D’Souza, Network Architect
“Throughout the programme he has earned
recognized accreditations and is now
studying for his 1st Cisco certification. With
this experience and qualifications this will
place him in a fantastic position going
into permanent employment.”
Andrew Critchlow, Network Architect
“I have
thoroughly
enjoyed my time
here and I have
learned a lot, not
just about IT but
also about how to
work in an office
environment
effectively as well as
getting along with
my colleagues.”
Successfully
completed level 3;
progressing level 4

4. Ryan Maddock
At HCA since October 2013,
works as IT Service Support Officer
Like Kieran, he’s successfully
completed level 3 & progressing
level 4
“Since starting my apprenticeship at
the HCA I have thoroughly
enjoyed my time here.
Not only are the staff very
welcoming, they have taught me
vast amounts, not only specific advice
for my role on the IT service desk, but
general business related advice.
“Ryan is an
important member
of our service desk
team. He is growing in
confidence and is
providing excellent
IT support to HCA.”
John Brown, line
manager
I am excited to where my
future will go with the HCA
as I feel that my
apprenticeship is not only a
brilliant opportunity
at the present moment
but also for my future.”

5. Matthew Donnelly
Working as Finance Officer;
successfully completed AAT level 2; progressing
level 3
“Matthew is progressing extremely well,
I have received positive feedback from
everyone he has worked with.
He is diligent in his approach, asks questions
where appropriate to clarify his understanding,
and picks up work very well.
While in management accounts (6 months) he
has helped to introduce some process
improvements, along with some of the
more routine tasks, and gaining a good
understanding of the business.
“The apprenticeship
scheme at HCA, for me,
has been the perfect
way to gain essential
experience of the
public sector as well as
attaining
qualifications
in finance.”
He is doing very well in
his studies, and if Matthew
is the benchmark for
apprentices, then I would be
more than happy to
recommend this route
elsewhere.”
Pamela Smith

6. Sadia Begum
Working as HR Assistant
“I have learnt about HR policies
and procedures and the correct way
to implement these.
I am currently working towards Level
3 Business & Human Resources with
BPP, which will finish in August 2015.
I will then start my Level 3 CIPD in
September.
I am really enjoying working at the
HCA with the HR team and look
forward to gaining my qualifications.”
“Sadia has completed her
first 6 months successfully.
She has managed to pick up
the HR Assistant’s tasks with
ease and is currently
covering the full HR
Assistant role until the
vacancy is recruited to.
Sadia has provided
effective support to the
HR team and has been
heavily involved in a
few projects within Payroll,
Learning & Development
and Pensions. ”
Catherine Murray, HR Assistant

7. Navneet Binning
One of our newest apprentices, joined
HCA as Legal Assistant in November 2014
“Choosing to work for HCA is one of
the best choices I have ever
made. I am glad to be working with
people who are willing to teach me
everything I need to know, as well as
the 'basic' admin duties.
My line manager is doing a
wonderful job training me. I am
now able to process legal
documents. I am enjoying my time
here.
“Navneet is so
keen and eager
which makes it all
so much more
enjoyable.”
Janine Freed,
mentor
All in all, I am
proud to say I
work for HCA!”
I am learning
much more than
what I expected

8. Apprentice schemes have
numerous benefits!
We’re helping young people
struggling to find work gain
essential skills & prepare
them for their future careers
Everyone wants to help
apprentices settle in
& progress
Working with
apprentices can
improve staff
morale for
existing staff;
helping young
people to develop
can be incredibly
motivating
It provides
opportunities for
personal
development, eg
through mentoring
apprentices

9. We’ve found apprentices are eager, motivated, flexible
and loyal to the HCA as the organisation which has invested in
them. An apprentice is with the HCA because they want to be –
they have made an active choice to learn on the job and a
commitment to a specific career
They are good ambassadors for the HCA!
We benefit from the creativity & new ideas apprentices
bring, an increase in productivity at affordable cost; and
taking on apprentices can improve our reputation with
stakeholders, partners & public

10. We’ll be recruiting more
apprentices across the
Agency in the coming year,
so watch this space.
Let’s hear it for
apprentices!

11. More info?
GOV.UK
@HCA_UK
@Apprenticeships
#NAW2015